French aerospace and defense company Thales SA said its proposed acquisition of Dutch digital security group Gemalto NV has received merger control regulatory clearance from the European Commission.

The two companies have now obtained eight of the required 14 regulatory clearances, including approvals by antitrust authorities in China, Israel, South Africa and Turkey, as well as clearances relating to foreign investments in Australia, Canada and the U.S., according to a statement.

The €4.8 billion all-cash deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2019.